diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/AnimationArranger.java b/src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/AnimationArranger.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..fafd0b4c1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/media/animation/AnimationArranger.java
@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+//
+// $Id$
+//
+// Narya library - tools for developing networked games
+// Copyright (C) 2002-2005 Three Rings Design, Inc., All Rights Reserved
+// http://www.threerings.net/code/narya/
+//
+// This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+// under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published
+// by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2.1 of the License, or
+// (at your option) any later version.
+//
+// This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+// Lesser General Public License for more details.
+//
+// You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
+// License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
+// Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
+
+package com.threerings.media.animation;
+
+import java.awt.Rectangle;
+
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+
+import com.samskivert.swing.util.SwingUtil;
+
+import com.threerings.media.Log;
+
+/**
+ * A utility class for positioning animations such that they don't overlap,
+ * as best as possible.
+ */
+public class AnimationArranger
+{
+    /**
+     * Position the specified animation so that it is not overlapping
+     * any still-running animations previously passed to this method.
+     */
+    public void positionAvoidAnimation (Animation anim, Rectangle viewBounds)
+    {
+        Rectangle abounds = new Rectangle(anim.getBounds());
+        ArrayList avoidables = (ArrayList) _avoidAnims.clone();
+        // if we are able to place it somewhere, do so
+        if (SwingUtil.positionRect(abounds, viewBounds, avoidables)) {
+            anim.setLocation(abounds.x, abounds.y);
+        }
+
+        // add the animation to the list of avoidables
+        _avoidAnims.add(anim);
+        // keep an eye on it so that we can remove it when it's finished
+        anim.addAnimationObserver(_avoidAnimObs);
+    }
+
+    /** The animations that other animations may wish to avoid. */
+    protected ArrayList _avoidAnims = new ArrayList();
+
+    /** Automatically removes avoid animations when they're done. */
+    protected AnimationAdapter _avoidAnimObs = new AnimationAdapter() {
+        public void animationCompleted (Animation anim, long when) {
+            if (!_avoidAnims.remove(anim)) {
+                Log.warning("Couldn't remove avoid animation?! " + anim + ".");
+            }
+        }
+    };
+}
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/puzzle/client/PuzzleBoardView.java b/src/java/com/threerings/puzzle/client/PuzzleBoardView.java
index 7e1132c83..4f40baa81 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/puzzle/client/PuzzleBoardView.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/puzzle/client/PuzzleBoardView.java
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ import com.samskivert.util.StringUtil;
 import com.threerings.media.VirtualMediaPanel;
 import com.threerings.media.animation.Animation;
 import com.threerings.media.animation.AnimationAdapter;
+import com.threerings.media.animation.AnimationArranger;
 import com.threerings.media.image.Mirage;
 import com.threerings.media.sprite.Sprite;
 
@@ -292,17 +293,11 @@ public abstract class PuzzleBoardView extends VirtualMediaPanel
      */
     public void trackAvoidAnimation (Animation anim)
     {
-        // reposition the animation as appropriate
-        Rectangle abounds = new Rectangle(anim.getBounds());
-        ArrayList avoidables = (ArrayList)_avoidAnims.clone();
-        if (SwingUtil.positionRect(abounds, _vbounds, avoidables)) {
-            anim.setLocation(abounds.x, abounds.y);
+        // lazy init the arranger
+        if (_avoidArranger == null) {
+            _avoidArranger = new AnimationArranger();
         }
-
-        // add the animation to the list of avoidables
-        _avoidAnims.add(anim);
-        // keep an eye on it so that we can remove it when it's finished
-        anim.addAnimationObserver(_avoidAnimObs);
+        _avoidArranger.positionAvoidAnimation(anim, _vbounds);
     }
 
     // documentation inherited
@@ -393,8 +388,8 @@ public abstract class PuzzleBoardView extends VirtualMediaPanel
     /** The action sprites on the board. */
     protected ArrayList _actionSprites = new ArrayList();
 
-    /** The animations that other animations may wish to avoid. */
-    protected ArrayList _avoidAnims = new ArrayList();
+    /** Prevents certain animations from overlapping others. */
+    protected AnimationArranger _avoidArranger;
 
     /** Our background image. */
     protected Mirage _background;
@@ -412,15 +407,6 @@ public abstract class PuzzleBoardView extends VirtualMediaPanel
         }
     };
 
-    /** Automatically removes avoid animations when they're done. */
-    protected AnimationAdapter _avoidAnimObs = new AnimationAdapter() {
-        public void animationCompleted (Animation anim, long when) {
-            if (!_avoidAnims.remove(anim)) {
-                Log.warning("Couldn't remove avoid animation?! " + anim + ".");
-            }
-        }
-    };
-
     /** Temporary action debugging. */
     protected static boolean DEBUG_ACTION = false;